Aslef general secretary DAVE CALFE looks at how rail workers and miners stood together against wage cuts 100 years ago – and why the legacy of collective action endures today
ON OCTOBER 8, Greta Thunberg was set to speak in the West German metropolis of Dortmund, where since May, activists and students had maintained a pro-Palestinian encampment near the university. However, giving very short notice, the Dortmund police banned the Swedish climate activist from taking part in a pro-Palestinian event.
The authorities explained that they had drawn up a “danger forecast” after “intensive examination” and come up with the assessment that, “the most recent events in connection with Thunberg led to the assessment that she is a participant who is prepared to use violence.”
What was meant by “recent events” was not specified. German media speculated that it was about Thunberg’s involvement in the demonstrations in Berlin last Monday, on October 7.
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